Comprehension—A Reading Problem
Does your child struggle with comprehension and learning? Maybe he or she is a good reader, but they just don’t seem to understand what they are studying. There are simple steps you can take to help any student boost their comprehension.
Have you ever had a student read something perfectly then ask them questions about it afterwards and come to find out that they didn’t know anything about what they just read?
They can read, right? So why don’t they understand what they are reading?
Too often the emphasis in early reading skills is put on reciting words and saying them perfectly and not on actual comprehension. Comprehension doesn’t magically materialize just because the mechanical ability is there.
The definition of reading encompasses much more than recognizing letter formation and rotely saying a word. It is more broadly defined as the ability to decode letters and sounds to derive meaning from them. Reading is essentially an understanding of another’s communication.
If a person can read by that definition, they are building vocabulary and a solid foundation for their future education.
If comprehension is not occurring, then the answer is just as simple; define the words, build the vocabulary, and ensure the communication is understood.